Zoom in on famous works through the Art Institute of Chicago’s new website

The Art Institute of Chicago has given its website a significant makeover to create an interactive experience that shows off much of what the museum has to offer.

Besides the new look and improved usability of the revamped website, notable extras include the addition of more than 50,000 images of works by a huge range of artists, among them Andy Warhol, Vincent van Gogh, Claude Monet, and Paul Cézanne. Photos of sculptures and other artworks are also included, and clicking on an image brings up more detailed information about each one.

A nice touch is the ability to zoom in close to the piece, allowing you to see their unique features in much greater detail.

“Check out the paint strokes in van Gogh’s The Bedroom, the charcoal details on Charles White’s Harvest Talk, or the synaesthetic richness of Georgia O’Keeffe’s Blue and Green Music,” suggests Michael Neault, the museum’s executive director of digital experience.

Another bonus is that if you find a particularly special image and it’s accompanied by a download button at the bottom right of the screen, it can be yours for the princely sum of nothing under the Creative Commons Zero license.

The website’s developers are also developing ways to help visitors surface “lesser-known artworks that are just as interesting but may be under the radar,” hopefully leading to some pleasant discoveries as you explore the site’s content.

The revamped web presence also includes an improved layout to aid those who’re looking to visit the Art Institute of Chicago in person. And for the time-pressed, be sure to check out the handy what-to-see-in-an-hour guide that’ll ensure you don’t miss any of the galleries’ most iconic works as you scuttle around the building.

The impressive update marks the website’s first redesign in five years, a lengthy time span in the fast-changing world of the internet and a point not lost on Neault.

“Whereas we once mostly pointed our browsers to specific websites, today we often let content come to us directly through social media feeds,” Neault wrote in a piece unveiling the new site. “Even the devices we use have changed — today, people access the web through mobile devices just as much as with desktops, and this trend is increasing every year.”

He added: “With this redesign, we’ve gone from creating a singular website to becoming a more dynamic presence on the web. So no matter how you digitally encounter our content — through email subscriptions, keyword searches on search engines, or stories on social media — we want to help you find the artworks that inspire you.”

The best drawing apps for the iPad Pro turn Apple's robust tablet into a canvas worthy of a true artist. Here are 20 of our current favorites, whether you're looking to keep things simple or take your art to the next level.

Not sure what apps you should be downloading for your newfangled Windows device? Here are the best Windows apps, whether you need something to speed up your machine or access your Netflix queue. Check out our categories and favorite picks.

Here are the best cheap phones for anyone working with a tight budget, whether you're a fan of stock Android or marathon battery life. Find out what you can get for under $500 or far, far less as we round up the best budget smartphones.

2019 will be a huge year for T-Mobile. Not only is a merger with Sprint likely, but T-Mobile is also in the midst of building out its next-generation mobile service. Here's everything you need to know about the T-Mobile 5G rollout.

Google is one step closer to bringing tab groups to its Chrome browser. The feature is now available in Google's Chrome Canady build with an early implementation that can be enabled through its flag system.

The 1961 Lincoln Continental became a design icon thanks to center-opening "coach doors" (also known as "suicide doors"). Lincoln is bringing those doors back for a special edition of the 2019 Continental.

Verizon is in the midst of a massive 5G rollout. In addition to fixed 5G service, it will also begin deploying mobile 5G in the coming months. Here's everything you need to know about Verizon's 5G network and when it will be in your town.

Palo Alto-based Abode Systems is adding an upgrade to its popular smart home starter kit by replacing its central gateway with a second-generation version that supports cellular backup and enhanced Z-Wave support.